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Helping With Cat Rescues!
There are so many unwanted, stray and feral cats and so few good homes for them. Shelters are consistantly overflowing. Millions of
cats are euthanized every year for a lack of a permanent home. Cat rescue volunteers are trying to help by giving many
of these cats another chance, but there is always much more to be done. Cat rescue work is done by dedicated people who want to make
a difference. Their groups may be large enough to have a shelter but more often, they have only volunteers who give cats foster homes until
they are adopted. They frequently answer emergency calls about cats in urgent need and get far more calls than they would like asking them to take more cats.
Some Ideas
If you would like to help, there are lots of ways you can! There is always a need for:
- foster parents - something that is probably need the most!
- forever homes — especially for older cats or “special needs” cats.
- volunteers - to help with rescues, computer or telephone work, etc.
- drivers - to help shuttle cats to vet appointments, move to foster homes, etc.
- fundraisers - as simple as a garage sale or a car wash.
- cat food and litter
- cash - always a need here.
- various supplies - carriers, towels, cat beds, toys.
- items to sell at craft sales, garage sales, and other fundraisers
- small structures that could serve as shelter for feral cats in the winter - old dog houses work great!
Find a shelter or rescue organization near you and give them a call — they will be delighted to hear from you!
Creative Cash Donations
Consider asking for donations to a cat rescue on your birthday or for other occasions when you receive gifts. Maybe you can save a feline
life once or twice a year without it costing you a cent. Because rescuers work with so many cats they tend to get reduced rates from their vets.
You might be surprised how little it costs to save a life! Yet for rescuers who deal with many cats every month, the costs mount up quickly. Any
size donation is always a welcome donation.
Fostering
Good foster homes are hard to find. While it is always appreciated if foster homes will supply the food and litter for cats in their care, some
rescuers will supply food and litter if it is necessary. If you can’t afford another mouth to feed but love cats and are truly interested in helping,
it can most likely be worked out. You don’t necessarily need a lot of space. Shy, formerly stray cats do well in a small room with a place or two
to hide until they are more comfortable. Don’t think that it is unkind for them to be in a small room. Whatever you have to offer is dry, warm, comes
with food and water and is only temporary. That is a huge improvement over where they were before!
Adoption for Busy Cat Lovers
Many people love cats, want to help but don’t feel they have the time to spend with a pet. If you are like that, consider how you can save a life —
If you truly want to help, a pair of shy, former stray cats might be perfect for you. By adopting two they will keep one another company and feel
more secure. Fresh food and water and litter changes are all that’s required — and that takes less than ten minutes a day. These pets aren’t
everyone’s cup of tea but for some people they can be ideal. As time passes they become more comfortable with you, and you will eventually be
rewarded with more of their companionship. It is wonderful to see animals come to trust you and appreciate your company.
And from the “I’m-Not-Perfect-Either” Department
Ask about unadoptable cats. Unadoptable generally refers to cats that are not those you would typically adopt, but that doesn’t mean
that they aren’t terrific pets. Being unadoptable doesn’t mean that the cat soils all over the house or tears the furniture apart. It can be as simple
as not conforming to the appearance or age range most people want in a feline friend. There may be a blind cat (not a huge obstacle to an
indoor cat)...or a three-legged cat... or a cat that tests positive for Feline Leukemia but whose health is fine (and could continue to be fine
for a very long time). A diabetic cat might be hard to find a home for. There are lots of cats that are healthy and lovely pets but are a little older in
a world where everyone wants kittens. Many have had loving homes but their owner is no longer able to care for them or has passed away. It is
sad that cats are often considered unadoptable when they reach their senior years, even though they have many good years of
companionship left to give. Always remember that unadoptable only means that most people wouldn’t want these cats. It doesn’t mean that
they are terrible, hopeless pets who will make your life miserable. It only means that they aren’t the common perception of “perfect”.
Just remember. Anything thing that you can do to help, not matter how small, will help a homeless cat receive the proper care and
attention they deserve.
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